Some fundraisers sell cookies. Others host silent auctions, organize charity walks, or ask supporters to buy a raffle ticket. Philadoptables has another idea. Find some animal-loving men, introduce them to adorable dogs, put everybody in front of a camera, and turn the results into a calendar that helps animals in need.
The nonprofit’s annual Hunks for Hounds calendar is back for 2027, proving once again that puppies and shirtless men can, in fact, be part of a perfectly respectable fundraising strategy. More importantly, every calendar purchased helps Philadoptables support at-risk animals throughout the Greater Philadelphia area.
The Requirements Are Pretty Simple
Earlier this year, Philadoptables put out a call for “animal loving men” willing to pose for its 2027 Hunks for Hounds calendar. CBS Philadelphia helped spread the word, noting that the annual fundraiser raises money to help provide veterinary care for pets in need.
Despite the name, previous editions haven’t relied on professional models. Over the years, local police officers, personal trainers, scientists, city employees, radio executives and other willing volunteers have stepped in front of the camera, often with rescue animals by their sides.
Looks may help when you’re applying for a calendar called Hunks for Hounds, but there’s another qualification that matters considerably more. The guys have traditionally shared a genuine love for animals, and some have brought their own rescue stories to the photo shoot.
That can make posing for a calendar a little less intimidating, too. Photographer Alison Dunlap previously told The Philadelphia Inquirer that having animals on set helped the men relax because a dog might start handing out kisses right in the middle of a photo shoot.
The Dogs Are More Than Cute Costars
It would be easy to look at the finished photos and assume the dogs are there because everything looks better with a puppy in it. While that’s arguably true, the animals have always been an important part of the calendar’s purpose.
Past editions have featured rescued pets, including animals belonging to the models and dogs supplied by local rescue organizations. Some featured animals have even been looking for homes of their own when their calendar photos were taken.
That means the dogs aren’t merely furry props beside the human models. They’re reminders of exactly who benefits when someone buys a calendar.
One Calendar Can Do a Lot More Than Decorate a Wall
Philadoptables works to help some of the Greater Philadelphia area’s most vulnerable animals. Its efforts include providing financial assistance for medical needs, helping shelters with equipment and improvements, promoting animals for adoption and foster, assisting pet families with basic care, and supporting community cats through medical and spay/neuter services.
Money from the 2027 Hunks for Hounds calendar helps keep that work going. Philadoptables says calendar proceeds support financial assistance, medical care, food, supplies, shelter resources, enrichment, and other essential help for animals and the organizations caring for them.
In other words, hanging a handsome man and an adorable dog on the kitchen wall every month can accomplish considerably more than improving the view. Somewhere behind those glossy calendar pages are real animals getting food, medical help, shelter resources, and another chance.
‘Hunks for Hounds’ Has Been Turning Heads for Years
The idea isn’t new, which may be the best evidence that Philadoptables is onto something. When The Philadelphia Inquirer profiled the calendar in 2022, the nonprofit was already celebrating its ninth year of producing it.
Even earlier, the 2015 edition was attracting attention for pairing Philadelphia-area men with dogs for charity. At the time, Philadelphia Magazine reported that donated time, services, and resources helped direct the calendar’s sales toward Philadoptables’ animal-welfare work.
The calendar has even traveled well beyond Philadelphia. Philadoptables president Michelle Helms told The Inquirer in 2022 that orders had arrived from as far away as the United Kingdom.
Apparently, the combination of handsome animal lovers and rescue pets has international appeal. The dogs probably deserve most of the credit, although the hunks are welcome to disagree.
The 2027 Hunks Have Officially Arrived
The finished 2027 calendar made its debut at a release party on Sept. 20 at Rose Bank Winery in Newtown, Pennsylvania. The event gave supporters a chance to see the finished calendar, celebrate the models and animals involved, and spend an afternoon with the Philadoptables community.
For anyone who couldn’t make the party, Philadoptables is also offering the 2027 calendar through its website. The organization says each purchase directly supports its work helping animals throughout the community.
There are plenty of reasons to need a calendar in 2027, from remembering appointments to figuring out which day of the week your dog’s next grooming visit falls on. Having a new animal-loving hunk and adorable canine waiting each month is simply a bonus.
The real payoff happens beyond those calendar pages. What starts as a fun photo of a handsome guy cuddling a dog ultimately helps Philadoptables continue showing up for animals who need food, medical care, shelter support, and a little help getting to whatever comes next. Get your calendar today!
This content was created with AI assistance and edited by the iHeartDogs team.
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